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The Education and Culture program is a professional exchange program designed (1) to facilitate person-to person exchanges that build bridges and cross cultural understanding among volunteers, institutions and communities and; (2) to create a learning-rich network of volunteers that capitalize on the lessons learned from successful projects and exchanges within the Partners network of chapters and their local affiliates. This program is at the core of Partners strength- engaging professionals in a variety of disciplines and for a range of activities.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State (formerly the United States Information Agency- USIA) sponsors the Education and Culture Program in a public-private partnership to carry out mutual goals of strengthening international relations and expanding global networks through exchange and small project assistance.
CURRENT ENDEAVORS
Each year, Partners funds approximately 75 travel exchange grants to chartered Partners chapters for qualified adult professionals to visit their counterpart Partners chapter for an organized minimum 10-day visit. Partners also annually provides about 15 assistance grants for small projects, which typically are the result of or part of an exchange. There are a limited number of Teacher in Residence grants for one month exchanges coordinated with the Bi-National Centers in Latin America.
Innovations - Peer learning and/or Cross Partner activities. These are how-to workshops hosted by a chapter sharing expertise in an area of common interest. Since 2009 "Peer Learning" events have taken place in Nicaragua, Paraguay, Washington, DC, Mexico, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.
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